Additionally, you may want to file a complaint against the firm with the federal trade commission at. Beware of yellow page phone scams against business owners. Scammers call companies claiming to represent yellow pages or another. Somebody calls your organization saying they simply need to confirm your contact information for a business directory. The ftc is alleging that three telemarketing agencies in canada, which did business under names like your yellow pages and onlineyellowpagestoday, used that very m. Ftc cracks down on yellow book scam the san diego union. Bbb files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning billing and collection issues. Yellow pages invoice scam florida attorney general. First, it clarifies that most, if not all, communications between a business and its customers will be considered to be representations made to promote a product or a business interest, and thus subject to the deceptive marketing practicesmisleading advertising provisions. Find people and find the right business and get things done. May 28, 2014 dont fall for business directory scams by paul davis last updated. I contacted yellowbook 4 today it took four times and trying to get one female.
Small businesses all over the nation are receiving solicitations that appear to be invoices from the local yellow page directory. Our crime and security expert has info on how to spot this scam, how to avoid it, and what to do if youre among the thousands of businesses that have fallen for it. The state bbb, where the scam operation claims to be based in several cases, when businesses file a complaint with bbb against the fraudulent yellow pages company, the bbb contacts these operations regarding the complaint, they state that they have audio taped receipts for the online advertising services. Scammers call companies claiming to represent yellow pages or another business directory, real or fabricated. This page was opened so the thousands of people around the country who were deceived by yellow book can share their horror. There is an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in nigeria more information. The yellow pages or business directory scam is pretty simple and similar to many other scams that are out there taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Responded scam business masquerading as telkom directory.
Sep 24, 2019 i got suckered in to this scam a couple of years ago and now recently. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still continues. Later, youll get a big bill, and the scammers may use details or even a recording of the earlier call to pressure you to. Being a koreanborn citizen, she doesnt speak english very well. If no order has been placed, it is safe to assume that the service was a scam. One particular scheme that is growing at a rapid rate involves the nationally renown business directory, yellow book, formerly known as yellow pages. Jul 17, 2014 the ftc is alleging that three telemarketing agencies in canada, which did business under names like your yellow pages and onlineyellowpagestoday, used that very m. Unsure if this company is a scam, or totally inept and incompetent. Where the british would state sixty thousand million, wed state sixty billion. As so many people are now not in the phone book, weve added some people search and public records links which use multiple sources to find addresses and phone numbers. Wjla it wasnt your typical invoice for many reasons. The collections department from oyp group calls a month later, saying we needed to pay.
They are a huge company that takes care of their employees and have been around for 80 years starting with yellowbook. Yellow pages might be scamming your business out of hard. View the 2011 yellow book view the 2018 yellow book. Usyellow pages us yellow pages sending me bills for. At the top right of the form it said, in bold letters, this is not a bill. Information from knowledge networksris 2004 yellow pages industry usage study. The man told me that he was simply updating our current listing and they were recording this for quality assurance, blah blah. Small businesses all over the nation are receiving solicitations that appear to. Maybe you are getting a flurry of junk faxes like i am from companies pretending they are collecting on invoices due for yellow pages advertising. All across the web, on blogs, message boards and more, its not hard to find complaints about yellow pages companies. Have questions about your yellow pages united account or mail youve received from us. While this is the most recent yellow pages ad scam, other types of phonebook and business directory listing scams have surfaced in recent years.
Required for arriving travelers from all countries if traveler is. Sorting facts from fiction about yellow pages scams. This type of fraud may be disguised as a solicitation for an update of an existing advertising product youve purchased, or as an offer for. When presented with this deceptive scheme, the best thing you can do is to confer with yellow book and question a representative about an order for service. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still. They claim that i made a contract to list my business on their service. Yellow page directory services complaint 14368 scambook.
You can search millions of local businesses on the go. This and other fake invoices are designed to trick companies into. Ive had two different versions of yellow pages collections. What you need to know about yellow pages companies. Dont fall for business directory scams by paul davis last updated. They run the gamut from warnings about yellow pages bills for orders that were never placed, to. You may file a complaint against a yellow pages directory firm with the attorney generals office online at. Nj man hounded by alleged yellow pages scam from dubai, moscow, germany. Businesses across the country are receiving what appear to be invoices for ad space in the familiar, locally distributed, yellow pages directories. Please select a location below to find local business information in your area. My employee signed and faxed back not knowing they were a scam. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still continues to claim unsuspecting victims this tricky scheme most frequently targets smaller businesses, nonprofits, churches, credit unions, and local government agencies that may have fewer controls in place. Once delivery is completed and verified by yellowbooks distribution department, payment is mailed to you within two weeks. This page was opened so the thousands of people around the country who were deceived by yellow book can share their horror stories and perhaps if we all are united enough.
Below is a list of company names that have been known to send invoices but are not affiliated with yellow pages. This scam targets businesses and organizations of all types, attempting to fool them into paying for a listing or ad space in a nonexistent directory or yellow pages. Yellow page is an extreme case, yet it holds a few lessons for all advertisers. Later i started getting bills from yellow page directory services their return address is. According to the ftc, the scam didnt always stop with the invoice. Apr 02, 20 ive had two different versions of yellow pages collections. The scam gets worse aka the invoice though i myself never received a phone call from yellow pages united, i did receive their invoice. The yellow pages or business directory scam is pretty simple and similar to. They send a fax stating they are the yellow pages and to verify address and sign. How giving your contact info to yellow page usa turns into.
Yellow fever vaccine availability in the united states is currently limited. Yellow pages united yellow pages united fake invoices demanding money deceptive survey copy pasted sensitive information atlanta ga nationwid. We opened a business in southern california in january of 2010 and received mail from us yellow pages. Specifically, consumers are reporting that they are being sent invoices for services. Phone book, internet yellow pages, yellow pages mobile incl app and the talking yellow pages and is the largest supplier of directional information to south african users look ups. The business directory scam strikes again ftc consumer. Registration book at a north haven, connecticut, funeral home. Later, youll get a big bill, and the scammers may use details or even a recording of the earlier call to pressure you to pay. Ftc and florida halt internet yellow pages scammers. When the scammer gets someone from the business on the phone. Mar 18, 2017 the yellow pages scam calls sound so innocent. View customer complaints of yellow business book, bbb helps resolve. Hibu, inc complaints better business bureau profile. Where the vast majority of the remainder of the world changed number names every six digits, we senseless americans changed every three digits.
Us yellow national yellow pages deceitful, unethical. In 2012, i started receiving phone calls from a company identifying itself as yellow pagesusa. Businesses of all sizes should be on alert for fake invoices for supposed listings in the yellow pages or other business directories, which are. Fraudulent yellow page listing scam beware its back. Most questions can be answered by choosing from the links provided below. While a business of any size is at risk of falling victim to this scheme, it most frequently targets small businesses, nonprofits, churches, credit unions, and local government agencies. Oct 29, 2007 oyp contacted me at my workplace months ago. General yellow pages has not satisfactorily provided evidence that redacted new orleans agreed to purchase any ads or services ads from their company. But, in fact, some of these invoices are solicitations for listings in alternative business directories that differ from the wellknown yellow pages. Canadabased operation targeted small businesses and churches in united states for release. Businesses that fell victim to a your yellow book scam involving bills for directory listings that they never placed will get refunds as part of a. Us yellow pages is clearly attempting to scam people into signing up for their expensive listing program that appears to be free. For tips and information on identifying this type of scam, download our guide. Yellow business book complaints better business bureau profile.
Our crime and security expert has info on how to spot this scam, how to avoid it, and what to do if youre among the thousands of businesses that have fallen. I received a phone call from someone implying they represented the yellow pages in the california phone book. White pages and yellow pages phone books for the united states. You will be responsible for distributing a yellowbook directory to every listing on your route. I too confused it with the yellow bookyellow pages and that is of course what they are counting on and hoping for. A common fraud tactic is the fake yellow pages invoice or other unauthorized advertising.
This page was opened so the thousands of people around the country who were deceived by yellow book can share their horror stories and perhaps if. Each route includes the listings of all the residents and businesses in that area. Scambook s investigation team reached out to this company a total of 2 times, scambook investigators last contacted them on apr 04, 20. Ftc and florida halt internet yellow pages scammers montrealbased operations targeted small businesses, churches in u. Fraud scams targeting small businesses range from strange office supply orders to fake invoices. Court throws the book at yellow page business directory. They may ask you to provide contact information for a free listing or say the call is simply to confirm your information for an existing order. In other words, if you ever receive a phone call from someone asking to verify your phone book or online yellow pages listing, hang up immediately. If you already advertise in your local telephone companys yellow pages, this yellow pages online directory will be in addition to any existing yellow pages advertising. While this is not a new scam, it is by far one of the most persistent that continues to resurface and plague small business owners. They have no contract with me, nor did i approve any yellow page add with these people. Yellow pages has partnered with thryv to share a pay what you can version of their business software. The united states has dependably been somewhat of a dissident. Yes, the iconic walking fingers associated with the yellow pages were walking across the top of the letter.